Method and system for creating a condition record for a linear asset

Abstract

The invention provides a graphical user interface implemented on a computer including an information area for displaying to a user at the computer inspection status information in connection with one or more components of a linear asset infrastructure. The graphical user interface also includes a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information on the one or more components of the linear asset infrastructure.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for recording a condition of a component of a railway infrastructure that is being observed by an inspector conducting an in-field inspection of the component, the condition representing a deviation from an operational requirement of the component, the method including:
 a) entering information at a computing device via a graphical user interface to identify the component; 
 b) providing a database in data communication with the computing device associating each of a plurality of different components of the railway infrastructure with a respective set of predetermined condition choices that the inspector can select from, each condition choice describing a condition that can potentially affect the component; 
 c) performing a search in the database on a basis of the information entered at the
 computing device to identify the set of predetermined condition choices associated with the component for which the information was entered; 
 
 d) displaying to a user via the graphical user interface the set of predetermined condition choices identified by the search, the graphical user interface being configured for allowing the user to select a condition choice among the displayed set of predetermined condition choices that matches an actual condition of the component that is observed by the inspector; 
 e) in response to selection of a condition choice by the inspector on the graphical user interface, creating a condition record that associates the component with the selected condition choice and storing the condition record on a machine readable storage medium. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a track segment, road crossing, turnout and lubricator. 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in  claim 1 , including:
 a) providing in the database for one or more of the predetermined condition choices a respective set of predetermined remedial action options among which the inspector can select from to mitigate the condition corresponding to the selected condition choice; 
 b) performing a search in the database on the basis of the selected condition choice to identify the corresponding set of predetermined remedial action options; 
 c) displaying to the inspector via the graphical user interface the identified set of remedial action options, the graphical user interface being configured to allow the inspector for selecting a remedial action option from the identified set of remedial action options to mitigate the condition; 
 d) in response to selection of a remedial action option by the inspector from the set of remedial action options, associating the condition record with the selected remedial action. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the set of predetermined remedial action options includes a temporary remedial order that constitutes a first remedial action option and a maintenance activity that constitutes a second remedial action option. 
     
     
       5. The method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the component includes a track segment, the temporary remedial order including a temporary slow order. 
     
     
       6. The method as defined in  claim 3 , including associating with the condition record condition status information, the condition status information being indicative of a status of the condition corresponding to the selected condition choice. 
     
     
       7. The method as defined in  claim 6 , including displaying the condition status information to the user via the graphical user interface. 
     
     
       8. The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the condition status information includes a plurality of states, a first state of the plurality of states indicating that the condition corresponding to the selected condition choice is outstanding, a second state of the plurality of states indicating that the condition corresponding to the selected condition choice is resolved. 
     
     
       9. The method as defined in  claim 1 , including associating with the condition record information indicative of a level of urgency of the condition. 
     
     
       10. A system for recording a condition experienced by a component of a railway infrastructure that is being observed by an inspector conducting an in-field inspection of the component, the condition representing a deviation from an operational requirement of the component, the system including:
 a) a graphical user interface implemented on a computing device allowing the inspector to enter information to identify the component; 
 b) a database associating each of a plurality of different components of the railway infrastructure with a set of predetermined condition choices that the inspector can select from, each predetermined condition choice describing a condition that can potentially affect the component; 
 c) non-transitory program code stored in a machine readable medium for execution by a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for:
 i) performing a search in the database on a basis of the information entered at the computing device to identify the set of predetermined condition choices associated with the component for which the information was entered; 
 ii) directing the graphical user interface to display the set of predetermined condition choices identified by the search, the graphical user interface being configured for allowing the inspector to select a condition choice among the displayed set of condition choices that matches an actual condition of the component that is observed by the inspector; 
 
 d) in response to selection of a condition choice by the inspector, creating a condition record that associates the component with the selected condition choice and storing the condition record on a machine readable storage medium. 
 
     
     
       11. The system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the program code is further configured for:
 a) performing a search in the database on the basis of the selected condition choice to identify a set of predetermined remedial action options to mitigate the condition; 
 b) displaying to the user via the graphical user interface the identified set of predetermined remedial action options, the graphical user interface being configured to allow the user to select a remedial action option from the set of predetermined remedial action options to mitigate the condition; 
 c) in response to receipt of a selected remedial action option, storing data in the database to associate the component with the remedial action corresponding to the selected remedial action option. 
 
     
     
       12. The system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the component is a sub-component of a track segment, the step of entering information at the computing device to identify the component including:
 a) entering information at the computing device via the graphical user interface to identify the track segment; 
 b) performing a search in the database on a basis of the information identifying the track segment to generate a set of pre-determined sub-component options corresponding to respective components of the track segment; 
 c) displaying to the user via the graphical user interface the set of predetermined sub-component options, the graphical user interface being configured to allow the inspector to select a sub-component option from the set of pre-determined sub-component options for identifying a component for which a condition is to be recorded. 
 
     
     
       13. The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the remedial action is selected from the group consisting of a temporary remedial order and a maintenance activity. 
     
     
       14. The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the set of predetermined remedial actions comprises at least one of a temporary speed limit for traveling over a track segment and a temporary closure of the track segment. 
     
     
       15. The system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the program code is further operative for mapping in the condition record the sub-component with both the selected remedial action and a second more permanent action.